1959: El Pasoans Plan Sea Lion Hunt

George and Georgette, sea lions at Washington Park, are to have some new neighbors from SanPedro Island in the Gulf of Callfornia if Alderman Ernie Craigo and City Park Supt. Bryce Lammerthave success as sea lion hunters.

An expedition of park workers and newsmen under the direction of Alderman Craigo and Mr.Lammert will leave El Paso early Friday and set up camp on Keno Bay 60 miles west of Hermosillo, in Sonora, Mexico. From there the group will go by boat to San Pedro Island where sea lions are plentiful.

A hunt last year in the same area netted two sea lions for Washington Park. One of them, an infant, died. The other, Georgette, resides in the sea lion pool at the zoo with her mate George.

It is hoped that from four to six new "residents" will be captured by the expedition.

With the increase in sea lion population at the zoo public feeding can be started.